It was hard to tell who was having more fun last Saturday in Waitsfield, the spectators or the von Trapp dairy cows being released to the fields for the first time this spring.
Under blue skies, sunshine, and a breeze strong enough to mitigate the black flies, a couple hundred people of all ages gathered at the vonTrapp dairy farm on Common Road to watch the cows hit the field for the first time this spring.
With a crowd of 100-200 on hand, farmer and cheesemaker Sebastian von Trapp led the way down to the gate. The dairy cows (not exactly delicate little creatures) cavorted, pranced, spun, hopped, leapt, and high-stepped their way to the grass to the cheers of those watching. Wearing garlands, bells, flowers, and construction paper leis made by Waitsfield Elementary School students, the cows were clearly happy to be back in their green fields.
Some started ripping tender green shoots out of the field as soon as they got there, others ran and danced and bucked, then ate some grass and started over. The fun was infectious and lasted after the last cow had come down the chute.
With the cows grazing, spectators wandered back up to the barnyard to socialize in the sun and enjoy samples of VonTrapp Farmstead Savage cheese and maple yogurt.
Cow turn-out day is an annual event for pastured dairy cows and the timing is predicated on when the field is stable and dry enough to handle their hooves and the roots of the grass are strong enough to handle being pulled and munched.
